Express bus riders, elected officials and the borough's representative to the MTA called for the restoration of the X18 bus Thursday, saying the state's recent infusion of $85 million into the agency's budget covers the cost.

They also called it an issue of "fairness" for commuters who have had to hike nearly a mile uphill in Fort Wadsworth to catch another express bus.

The service was cut in 2010 by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in a cost-saving move. At the time, the X18 cost $500,000 to run, said Staten Island MTA board member Allen Cappelli. He said it would cost between $500,000 and $600,000 to run now.

Cappelli said he plans to continue to advocate for the service and said the MTA is looking at the possibility of service restorations and enhancements.

Cappelli joined Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and state Sen. Diane Savino on the corner of Bay Street at Fingerboard Road, where Ms. Malliotakis used to catch the X18 when she worked in Manhattan prior to her election.

"This one is near and dear to me," said Ms. Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn). "This is the only express bus this community has. We have been successful in getting other cuts restored. I hope we will see the MTA use the majority of the funds they have been given go to restore and expand service. We have no subway, one railway; this is about fairness."

"We need to restore what worked," said Ms. Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn). "We need to get people faster to Manhattan. Other service cuts were restored because of advocacy. The state's finances and the MTA's finances are in much better shape."

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726 president Daniel Cassella agreed, saying "people have long suffered" because of cuts to public transportation.

Now-retired Shore Acres commuter Brian McCarthy was a fan of the X18. He complained he now has to "walk three-quarters of a mile to Fingerboard Road and Narrows Road, all uphill in all kinds of weather" to catch another bus into Manhattan.

Alan Weinman, also of Shore Acres, said that since the X18 stopped running, he drives his car into Manhattan.